The Impact of Explainable AI Readiness and its Impact on the Quality of Operational Decisions — The Mediating Role of Digital Trust: A Survey Study in the General Company for Electricity Distribution in the Northern Region

Abstract

The current study aimed to examine the impact of interpretive artificial intelligence (XAI) readiness, as an independent variable with its dimensions (technical, human, organizational, and interpretive ability), on the quality of operational decisions, as a dependent variable, while identifying the mediating role of digital trust. The study was conducted at the General Company for Electricity Distribution in the Northern Region. The researcher adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, and data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to a sample of 164 employees. To achieve the study objectives and test the hypotheses of the hypothetical scheme, a set of advanced statistical methods was used, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), using SPSS v.26 and AMOS v.24. The results showed a high level of interpretive AI readiness at the company under study, with a direct and positive, significant impact of readiness on the quality of operational decisions at a significance level of (P 0.05). The results also demonstrated the essential mediating role of digital trust. The ability to interpret algorithm outputs helps dispel technical ambiguity and enhance decision-makers' confidence, leading to improved efficiency in decisions related to electrical loads and the grid. The study concluded by emphasizing the need to invest in interpretive capabilities to bridge the gap between smart technologies and human resources, thus ensuring energy sustainability.